INDIANAPOLIS, Friday, Oct. 28, 2005 -- Fourteen drivers who raced at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2005, including Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon and Allstate 400 at the Brickyard winner Tony Stewart, are among the nominees for the Auto Racing All-America team.

Nearly 300 members of the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association will vote to select the 2005 Auto Racing All-America team. Two nominees from each of the seven categories will be named to the first team, which will be announced at the 36th annual AARWBA annual All-America Team dinner presented by Sprint NEXTEL on Dec. 3 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Indianapolis.

The 36th annual dinner is moving from its longtime base in the Los Angeles area this year to Indianapolis. The dinner officially will conclude the 50th Anniversary Celebration for AARWBA, the oldest and largest organization of motorsports media professionals in America.

The driver who earns the most votes in balloting receives the Jerry Titus Award as the year's top driver. Kanaan won the prestigious award in 2004, when he captured the IndyCar® Series title and finished second in the Indianapolis 500.

Balloting will also determine a second team of the drivers placing third and fourth in each category, and honorable mentions to all other drivers receiving at least 5 percent of the vote. AARWBA members annually have chosen an All-America Auto Racing Team since 1970.

The banquet, which also concludes AARWBA's 50th anniversary, is open to the public. Ticket information is available from AARWBA, 922 N. Pass Ave., Burbank, CA 91505, or call (818) 842-7005.

Longtime motorsports broadcaster Bob Jenkins, who has been the IMS Radio Network "Voice of the Indianapolis 500" and has worked on the IMS Public Address team, will be the master of ceremonies at the dinner.

***

IMS tickets: To purchase tickets, camping or parking for the Indianapolis 500, United States Grand Prix, Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, Freedom 100 or Liberty Challenge, contact the IMS ticket office at (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area, (317) 492-6700 locally or log on to www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.